We haven’t reached an agreement at this time, is what we are hearing from the governing body for UFC and the powers to be.
Suspected rumours that surround official UFC uniforms are front and center and the organization is working to quickly stomp out thoughts of this happening.
Notorious mixed martial arts source @frontrowbrian posted side by side photos of current middleweight champion Chris Weidman to Twitter on Thursday, with one side featuring Weidman in his regular octagon attire and the other showing a mock-up of what the fighter would look like dressed in a branded uniform.
Fact or Fiction?
MMAjunkie.com received a statement from the organization refuting any current uniform deals.
“We continue to speak to many potential partners and will make an announcement when we reach an agreement,” the statement read.
A UFC uniform deal has been rumoured for some time now. It has caused quite a ripple within the organization, especially with president Dana White.
The situation boiled over in mid-February, a few days before UFC 170: Rousey vs. McMann. During a media scrum, White let off some steam surrounding the gossip.
“We haven’t announced a uniform deal, we have no uniform deal. We said that it’s something that we’re looking into. There’s no (expletive) uniform deal, we’re working on it,” he said. “It’s (expletive) ridiculous, there is no deal, and we’re sitting here talking about something that doesn’t exist.”
Fighters past and present are curious about the prospects of this actually happening.
At the beginning of March, former lightweight and featherweight title contender Kenny Florian (now a television personality) told MMA website Bloody Elbow he thought it could be a good deal for the organization.
“I think if it’s something that benefits the fighters and benefits the UFC, then I think it’s great, but I don’t know exactly what is going to happen.” he said.
At the same time, undefeated welterweight Alberto Mina wasn’t against the idea but also wasn’t overly thrilled.
“I believe every fighter has their own characteristics, their own body types, and their own way on how they feel better about themselves,” he also told Bloody Elbow. “I think it’s a very personal thing. Don’t take me wrong, but I think it’s not really necessary.”
There’s is no way to tell how far away, if at all, the UFC is to locking down a uniform deal, but other reports speculate that the UFC has already reached a deal with fitness apparel giant Under Armour.
In addition to those reports, and with the photos featuring Weidman in overtly labelled Under Armour gear, there is speculation an announcement of a deal could come at UFC 182: Jones vs. Teixeira in Maryland, where the company was founded.
Nonetheless, the statement to MMAjunkie denies any and all murmurs.
The UFC also denied comment on the photos as well.
